Blizzard introduces subscription-based access to new game, after six month intro period

Blizzard Entertainment has announced pricing and subscription options for fully localised Latin American Spanish versions of StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty.

The first instalment of StarCraft II was recently announced for an almost worldwide release on July 27, although analysts later suggested a Chinese launch was not likely until 2011.

The version of the game to go on sale in Mexico will be priced at 299 pesos ($23), while the Argentinean version will cost 119 pesos ($31) and the Chilean version 13,900 pesos ($26).

The Latin American versions of the game will include six months of access to the StarCraft II single-player campaign and multiplayer online modes via Battle.net.

To play beyond that time users will have to pay for either a 30 or 60 day subscription, although specific pricing for these has not yet been announced. A one-time unlimited access version of the game, priced similarly to the standard $59.99 U.S. release, will also be made available.

"One of our design goals for StarCraft II was to make it accessible to a wide range of players, from beginners to veterans," said Mike Morhaime, CEO and co-founder of Blizzard.

"The same is true with regard to our pricing options - we want to make sure players have the flexibility to experience the game according to their own preferences and play style."

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It's not a full version though, this is only 1/3 of the full game. It means that in order to get the full single-player experience you'll have to spend at least $100 ($60 for the unlimited version, plus $20 for each of the two "expansions"). This is getting absurd Blizzard. Just come up with a price or don't release the game until it's really finished.